Significance of Four elements
Synonyms: Earth, Water, Air, Fire
In Dutch: Vier elementen; In Finnish: Neljä elementtiä; In Spanish: Cuatro elementos; In German: Vier Elemente; In Malay: Empat elemen; In Swedish: Fyra element; In French: Quatre éléments; In Portugese: Quatro elementos; In Polish: Cztery elementy; In Italian: Quattro elementi
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Four elements'
In Buddhism, the Four Elements—earth, water, fire, and air—are foundational constituents of existence, often seen as impermanent and interconnected, serving to illustrate the nature of reality and the illusion of self within physical bodies.
From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)
(1) The text states that at the time of death, the four elements separate, and one loses control, highlighting the challenges of maintaining control during this transition.[1] (2) The text discusses the four elements, earth, water, fire, and wind, and questions their perfect fusion and pervasiveness within the dharma-realm.[2] (3) The fundamental building blocks of physical existence, represented as earth, water, fire, and wind.[3] (4) The basic components of physical existence that cease to operate normally when the body is about to transcend obstructions.[4] (5) The fundamental components of existence—earth, water, fire, and wind—that the practitioners mistakenly worship as everlasting causes.[5]
From: Akshayamatinirdesha [english]
(1) The foundational aspects of existence that contribute to the experience of feelings.[6] (2) The basic components (earth, water, fire, and wind) that make up the physical body and all material existence.[7] (3) The basic constituents of existence referred to in the context of consciousness: earth, water, fire, and wind.[8]
From: Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra
(1) The basic components of existence that the human body depends on, as discussed by Vimalakirti.[9] (2) Refers to earth, water, fire, and air, which a Bodhisattva states share an underlying voidness, emphasizing their non-duality.[10]
From: Mahavastu (great story)
(1) Fundamental constituents of existence discussed by the Exalted One, addressing questions of manifestation, endurance, and reconstitution.[11]
From: Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra
(1) Earth, fire, water, and wind, which serve as metaphors for the nature of existence and defilements in the discussion.[12]
From: Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra
(1) The fundamental categories of matter that the Tathágata transcends, namely earth, water, fire, and air.[13]
From: Visuddhimagga (the pah of purification)
(1) The overarching categories of earth, water, fire, and air, serving as the basis for understanding material existence.[14] (2) The foundational elements considered in the analysis of both materiality and immateriality.[15] (3) The four fundamental elements are the earth element, water element, fire element, and air element that constitute the physical body.[16]
From: Milindapanha (questions of King Milinda)
(1) The basic constituents of the body—earth, water, fire, and air—that make up physical existence.[17] (2) The basic building blocks of existence, which serve as a foundational understanding for a Bhikshu in comprehending the nature of life.[18]
From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) A philosophical reference to the basic constituents of existence, indicating minimalism and unity with nature.[19]
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) Referring to solidity, fluidity, heat, and motion, which are considered impermanent and are transcended in the state of Nibbana.[20]
From: Patipada (path of practice)
(1) The basic components of existence — earth, water, air, and fire — that constitute the physical body.[21]
From: Patthanuddesa Dipani
(1) Extension, cohesion, heat, and motion are the four elements, and they are respectively predominant, and each has supremacy over the other three components.[22]
From: The Great Chariot
(1) The edifice of the four elements is self-existing in the space of the human mind, forming the foundation of the structure.[23] (2) The four elements are what sentient beings are gathered from, similar to a bower, and these elements contribute to the structure of their existence.[24] (3) Concepts that trees take in to greatly increase, symbolizing the nourishment and growth of virtuous roots through bodhicitta.[25]
From: Bodhinyana
(1) The components believed in Buddhism that make up the human body: earth, water, fire, and wind.[26]
From: The Fo-Sho-Hing-Tsan-King (A Life of Buddha)
(1) Referencing the basic constituents of life that become confused and disordered within a sick person.[27]
Hindu concept of 'Four elements'
In Hinduism, the Four elements—earth, water, fire, and air—are fundamental constructs representing the building blocks of reality and existence, influencing both physical nature and the philosophical concept of consciousness beyond mere materialism.
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya)
(1) These are the fundamental components of existence according to materialists, and the text discusses consciousness's relationship to these elements, suggesting that consciousness cannot be a quality of the elements.[28] (2) Earth, water, fire, and air, which are the building blocks of external reality, arising from the aggregation of different kinds of atoms, that make up the first aggregate.[29] (3) The basic components identified as earth, water, fire, and air, each with distinct qualities.[30]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad Bhashya Vartika
(1) The fundamental components of earthly nature, consisting of ether, air, fire, and water.[31]
From: Padarthadharmasamgraha and Nyayakandali
(1) The four elements, namely Earth, Water, Fire, and Air, are fundamental components that possess the property of being the material or component cause.[32] (2) The substances in which only motion can occur without intelligent cause, influenced by impulsion.[33] (3) The basic physical components (Earth, Water, Fire, Air) in contrast with incorporeal concepts, serving as a framework for understanding action.[34]
From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu
(1) The basic components referenced in the text as earth, water, fire, and ether, which the prana takes shelter of.[35] (2) Refers to earth, water, fire, and ether; these are the basic components of nature that were affected by the sorrow of the cowherd boys.[36]
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) The traditional components believed to constitute the physical world, though in this view seen as non-essential.[37] (2) The natural forces that are said to rage in mutual conflict during the battle, symbolizing the chaos of war.[38]
From: The Sarva-Darsana-Samgraha
(1) The basic constituents—earth, water, fire, and air—believed to be the foundation of all existence and intelligence.[39]
From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari
(1) Comprising air, fire, water, and earth, these are considered fundamental substances by the Carvakas.[40]
The concept of Four elements in local and regional sources
The "Four elements"—earth, water, fire, and air—represent fundamental building blocks of reality, influencing both physical existence and existential adaptation, notably within Buddhist medical theory and its parallel with the three-humours concept.
From: History of Science in South Asia
(1) These elements, earth, water, fire, and air, are considered the fundamental building blocks of all physical realities in the sub-lunar world and are also life-less.[41] (2) This theory is a particularly intriguing aspect of the Buddhist medical framework, and likely developed in parallel with the three-humours theory.[42] (3) These primary elements are earth, water, fire, and wind, and are depicted as possessing distinct properties in the aggregate of form.[43]
From: Triveni Journal
(1) The foundational elements that every new Race is adapted to, suggesting a connection between physical and existential aspects of reality.[44]
The concept of Four elements in scientific sources
The keyphrase "Four elements" encompasses Earth, Water, Fire, and Air, integral to Traditional Healing practices and ancient philosophies, highlighting their spiritual significance and foundational role in natural healing methodologies across cultures.
From: Sustainability Journal (MDPI)
(1) Four elements will be considered in this evaluation: “True Positive”, “True Negative”, “False Positive”, and “False Negative” are all abbreviated as tp, tn, fp and fn respectively.[45] (2) Social bond is characterized by four elements, namely: Attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief that influences vaccine hesitation behaviors.[46] (3) Four Elements of responsibility are care, liability, accountability, and responsiveness, which can be outlined within a framework for defining responsibility.[47]
From: Religions Journal (MDPI)
(1) Rivera defines the Four Elements of Holistic Ministry as Conceptual, Contextual, Organic, and Incarnational.[48] (2) The four elements of the circular monomyth are romance, tragedy, anti-romance, and comedy, and the parable of the Prodigal Son contains all of these, completing the full cycle.[49] (3) According to the doctrine of humoralism, these elements are earth, air, fire, and water.[50]
From: South African Family Practice
(1) These are utilized by Traditional Healers in their practice, and they are part of the ancient sciences that recognize the spiritual clements contained in natural healing methods.[51]
Classical concept of 'Four elements'
From: The Gods of the Egyptians Vol 1
(1) Some would make the four pairs of gods represent the male and female elements of the Four Elements, Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, while others would make them stand for primeval Matter, Space, Time, and Power.[52]